Everyone needs to keep their bodies hydrated, but pregnant women require more liquids than normal.  You may find that water can help alleviate many of the problems or side effects associated with pregnancy.  Water is the drink of choice for expectant mothers, for their health, and that of their baby.

55%-65% of your body weight comes from water, so there’s no wonder water is so important for a healthy body.  When a woman becomes pregnant, however, water is even more important.  It helps transport nutrients through the blood to the baby; it also aids with flushing the system, diluting urine to help avoid urinary tract infections, and just helps a body feel better.

Of course, you want to keep the body hydrated because dehydration can cause problems for both the mother and child.  It doesn’t really make sense, but drinking water can actually help you avoid water retention, which is prevalent during pregnancy.  Water is also necessary for the amniotic fluid to properly protect your baby in the womb as the amniotic fluid replenishes itself every hour.

Proper hydration, especially during later months, can make a large difference since the body’s blood volume nearly doubles by the eighth month.  If the body doesn’t have enough water, it leads to thicker blood, which could translate to hypertension or other cardiovascular problems.

Not having enough water in your system can also lead to premature contractions or premature labor in the third trimester, which may in turn lead to other health risks in newborns.  It shouldn’t be surprising, given how important hydration is, that some premature labor cases have been totally stopped by giving the mother-to-be enough water or IV fluids to re-hydrate her.

How much water is enough?  The average person requires six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day, plus the normal fluid intake from foods.  A pregnant woman should drink no less than eight 8-ounce glasses, and most likely more, to be properly hydrated.  Proper hydration can help clear acne, reduce unwanted sodium in your system, reduce chances for pre-term labor or miscarriage, and help you avoid constipation.  Some doctors also say that morning sickness can be alleviated by drinking plenty of fluids, particularly between meals.

Does drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water mean that you shouldn’t drink anything else?  Of course not!  You can still have milk, juice, decaffeinated coffee, or tea.  However, doctors strongly suggest that you stay away from alcohol and ideally caffeinated drinks as well, since they have diuretic properties and will cause you to lose precious fluids.

Don’t forget to add one 8-ounce glass of water for each hour of activity you do each day.  You need to replace all the fluids you lose through breathing, exercise, and perspiration, so be sure to drink up – on water!  If the water where you live isn’t to your taste, try adding a squeeze of lemon or lime to make it more palatable.

You know your body is made up primarily of water, and you know it’s important for your health as well as that of your baby. It’s free of calories and does so much good; that’s why water is the drink of choice for expectant mothers.